Back from Italy. I can see why people get excited about Tuscany - the landscape and trees in particular are picturesque.

The main square in Siena where the palio races are held is frighteningly small (the races are bareback).

My flute playing had bottomed out last year and I was blaming it on arthritis in my wrists and thumbs from the RSI I had two years ago when I was still working.

My flute teacher and I agreed yesterday that I was playing better and I also felt I played better at flute group on Thursday.

The improvement is due solely I think to the dopamine medication I'm now taking for my previously undiagnosed Parkinson's Disease. The decline last year was a whole body thing in retrospect embouchure, posture and fingering -all early symptoms of PD.

I can cope with the trembling but wish the head buzzing which I get at some stage each day and is only relieved by a sleep would go away - I don't want this for the rest of my life.

My flute teacher and I agreed that we would continue while I am able - concentrating on slower pieces with more dynamics. I'll try to keep this blog updated as I continue - I wonder if anyone reads it ?